Allstate Holiday Driver Report: How to stay safe during winter’s most dangerous travel days
Important takeaways
- Drivers in some cities struggle even more during the winter. Madison, Wis., dropped 128 places in the safety rankings, and Florida led the way with the most cities showing the biggest winter drop.
- Snowbird towns in Arizona, Florida are seeing a huge increase in out-of-state vacationers. Phoenix’s traffic nearly doubled, while Orlando’s was up 75%.
- As the holiday approaches, drivers behave more badly. Phone usage peaks on New Year’s Eve, speeds increase on the weekend before Christmas, and brakes hard in the middle of the day on Christmas Eve.
NORTHBROOK, Ill., December 10, 2025 – The winter holidays bring some of the most dangerous driving conditions of the year and new ones Allstate Holiday Driver Report shows where winter drivers struggle the most, where risky behavior crosses over and how drivers can stay safe this season.
Unlike traditional travel forecasts that focus on how many people are on the road, Allstate analyzes real-time data on dangerous driving claims, travel patterns and roadside events to help drivers navigate the holiday season more efficiently.
Allstate Safety Specialist Brian Tidwell said, “Winter driving risks can change overnight. Whether you live locally or travel long distances, the Allstate mobile app offers helpful tools for everyone – not just Allstate customers – including Drivewise, Allstate Roadside and crash detection.”
Which cities have the most dangerous winter drivers?
Allstate claims data shows winter turns many cities into safer driving zones, with rates from Allstate America’s Best Drivers Report change significantly between November and March.*
The drivers entered Madison, Wis., see the decline in its rate from 9th be 137thfreefall with 128 placesmore than 14 times its original location. Again In Florida states that five of the 10 cities were most affected in the fall and winter, inclusive Gainesville (out of 97 places) again Tallahassee (down 86).
Top 10 cities most affected in fall and winter (Nov.–March)
| Level | The city | Change the spots | Annual rate | Nov.-March level | |
| 1 | Madison, WI | -128 | 9 | 137 | |
| 2 | Anchorage, AK | -121 | 32 | 153 | |
| 3 | Honolulu, HI | -102 | 75 | 177 | |
| 4 | Gainesville, FL | -97 | 16 | 113 | |
| 5 | Tallahassee, FL | -86 | 37 | 123 | |
| 6 | Hialeah, FL | -79 | 87 | 166 | |
| 7 | Milwaukee, WI | -79 | 59 | 138 | |
| 8 | Jersey City, NJ | -73 | 98 | 171 | |
| 9 | Petersburg, FL | -73 | 25 | 98 | |
| 10 | Pembroke Pines, FL | -72 | 52 | 124 | |
Why it matters: These dramatic changes show that the dangers of winter are not just snow and ice, but also lack of preparation, unfamiliar drivers and seasonal traffic changes.
Where do holiday cars fill up?
Holiday travel isn’t just about snow. Warm weather states are seeing the largest influx of out-of-state drivers, according to data from Drivewise’s 2 million customers.** Allstate’s safe driving program, available on the Allstate mobile app, shows Arizona, Florida, and Texas experiencing out-of-state traffic increases of 30% to nearly 100% compared to normal levels.
Cities have the largest increase in out-of-state drivers
| The country | The city | The increase in out-of-state drivers | |
| In Arizona | Phoenix | + 94% (big jump across the country) | |
| Scottsdale | +30% | ||
| In Florida | Orlando | + 75% | |
| Tampa | + 56% | ||
| Jacksonville | +47% | ||
| Texas | San Antonio | + 45% | |
| El Paso | +35% | ||
| Fort Worth | +29% | ||
| Houston | +28% | ||
Why it matters: The increase in out-of-state drivers can lead to unfamiliar routes, heavy traffic and a high risk of crashes, making planning and caution very important for holiday travel. The tools in the Allstate mobile app are similar crash detection to help keep drivers safe by detecting collisions and providing quick assistance, such as helping users call 911, request roadside assistance, or start a claim.†
When are the most dangerous driving habits during the holidays?
Data from Drivewise over the same time period also shows when risky behavior peaks during the holidays:
- Managing the phone it is the worst New Year’s Eve (+10%), especially at night.
- Walking fast skip i the weekend before Christmas (+10%), with many drivers going +15 mph over the limit.
- Hard braking peaks on Christmas Eve (+13%), as last-minute shoppers fill the streets.
Why it matters: Traveling for the holidays is not only busy, it is very dangerous. Drive the right way on the Allstate mobile app provides drivers with personalized feedback to help drivers adjust before dangerous patterns cause an accident.
What’s the worst day for a holiday breakup?
Allstate Roadside always sees one of its biggest hits of the year during the winter holidays:
- December 26 one of the busiest days of the year for road service events.
- The longest distances Christmas Dayaverage up to 15 miles.
Why it matters: Cold temperatures and holiday congestion lead to dead batteries, flats, breakdowns and long waits. Allstate Roadside provides fast, flexible service through the Allstate mobile app, available to everyone, even non-customers.‡
Tidwell said:Cold weather can turn small problems into big problems. Check your battery, check your tires, top up your fluids, keep your gas tank at least half full, and pack an emergency kit – a little preparation now can help you avoid major headaches later.
How can drivers stay safe with Allstate?
From real-time crash detection to safe driving information with Drivewise, download the file The Allstate mobile app staying safe on the road all winter long. For more winter driving tips, tools and advice, visit Allstate.com.
Editor’s note
*The Allstate Best Drivers Report supplement compares the frequency of collision claims in America’s 200 most populous cities in the fall and winter (Nov. 1, 2022–March 31, 2023) with the two-year average (Jan.1, 2022–Dec. 31, 2023). The rates are based on Allstate’s property damage and collision claims data, which represents about 10% of all US auto policies. City statistics are defined using US Census Bureau data. A “collision” is any auto accident that results in a claim for property or collision damage. This additional analysis highlights seasonal changes in driving risk and is intended to promote awareness and discussion about safe driving, not to determine insurance rates.
**Data is based on aggregated and anonymized national Drivewise data comparing the 2024 winter holiday period (Fri., Dec. 20, 2024–Wed., Jan. 1, 2025) to average daily driving behavior in 2024. The hours between 1 am and 7 am were not included in the analysis, as it is assumed that the reduction in driving is caused by the late night time. and driving badly. Drivewise, a voluntary safe driving program that customers can choose to enroll in, helps drivers get a personalized auto insurance quote based on their daily driving. Customers can save money simply by registering and staying active, while avoiding risky behaviors such as speeding, sudden braking, using their phone or driving at night that could cause their premiums to increase.
†Crash detection is not a substitute for emergency services and may not detect all collisions. Always call 911 if it is safe and possible.
‡Allstate Roadside Services are subject to availability, terms, and conditions. Response times vary by location, traffic, and weather.
About Allstate
Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) protects people from life’s uncertainties with a broad array of auto, home, appliance, and ownership protections. Products are available through an extensive distribution network including Allstate agents, independent agents, major retailers, online, and in-store. Allstate has more than 209 active policies and is widely known by the slogan “You’re in Good Hands with Allstate.” For more information, visit www.allstate.com.
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